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“SENATE RESOLUTION 148--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 30, 2001, AS ``NATIONAL WEATHERIZATION DAY''” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S8771-S8772 on Aug. 2, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SENATE RESOLUTION 148--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 30, 2001, AS ``NATIONAL
WEATHERIZATION DAY''
Mr. BIDEN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 148
Whereas the average family in the United States spends more than
$1,300 annually on utility bills.
Whereas that figure represents nearly 15 percent of a low-income family's income and could approach 18 percent as fuel costs steadily rise;
Whereas the Weatherization Assistance Program (referred to in this resolution as the ``Program''), by using Federal, State, local, and private dollars, benefits households and communities across the Nation by providing cost-effective, energy-efficient retrofits to homes occupied by low-income families;
Whereas the average energy cost savings for each home that is weatherized is more than $250 annually, allowing families to spend the saved money on groceries, doctor bills, prescriptions, and other needs, thereby making them more self-sufficient;
Whereas carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by an average of 1 ton per weatherized household, reducing pollution levels in our air;
Whereas 52 jobs are created within the Nation's communities for each $1,000,000 invested in weatherization;
Whereas for every $1 invested by the Department of Energy in the Program, another $3.39 is leveraged from other sources;
Whereas the Program works with public and private partners to help reduce the energy burden of the Nation's low-income families and promote the benefits of weatherization to all people in the Nation;
Whereas people across the Nation should become more aware of the importance of energy conservation, pollution reduction, and safer homes; and
Whereas a concerted public information campaign will help get the weatherization message to the people in our Nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
SECTION 1. NATIONAL RESPONSE TO WEATHERIZATION.
(a) Designation.--The Senate--
(1) designates October 30, 2001, as ``National Weatherization Day'';
(2) encourages families to learn about the benefits of weatherizing their homes, including energy conservation, money savings, and safer homes for their children; and
(3) encourages community action and service agencies, Federal, State, and local government agencies, and private sector partners to work together to promote the positive aspects of weatherizing our Nation's housing stock.
(b) Proclamation.--The Senate requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the Federal, State, local, and private sector leaders of our Nation to observe and promote National Weatherization Day with appropriate partnerships, activities, and ceremonies.
Mr. BIDEN. Madam President, today I am proud to submit a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that October 30, 2001, be designated as ``National Weatherization Day.'' By doing so, we will anchor a national effort by States, localities, and community groups to raise the awareness of all Americans concerning the importance of weatherizing the Nation's housing stock to conserve energy, thereby reducing consumption of all forms of energy.
October is already designated as Energy Awareness Month and will serve as the ideal host month for this day. Why, then, do we need a day specifically devoted to supporting weatherization efforts? Although some people today know of the benefits of weatherizing a home, most unfortunately do not. Weatherization Day, then, will help bring targeted recognition of these efforts, and specifically those of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, which uses Federal, State, local, and private dollars to provide cost-
effective, energy-efficient retrofits to homes occupied by low-income families.
The average family in the United States spends more than $1,300 annually on utility bills. For low-income families, that can take away almost 15 percent of their entire annual income, and 18 percent if fuel costs rise as they have been for the past year. That is unacceptable and that is why the Weatherization Assistance Program exists today. The average energy cost savings for each home that is weatherized is more than $250 annually. This gives these families the ability to purchase essential items like groceries and prescription drugs, pay for medical bills, and make themselves more self-sufficient. At the same time, weatherizing a home also provides a substantial economic and environmental boon to local communities, by adding an average of 52 jobs for every $1,000,000 invested and by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 1 ton per weatherized household.
I think that we owe it to ourselves and, more importantly, to our future generations, to continue to improve the awareness of all Americans of the importance of energy conservation, pollution reduction, and safer homes. By having a designated Weatherization Day, we will provide much-needed attention to this issue.
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